Fit for heroes?

In the Church of England, an unholy alliance of conservatives is fighting a rear-guard action against the consecration of women bishops: a battle that thankfully has been won in my home State of Western Australia.

But this scene has a counterpart here in a similar rump of resistance to dialogue with same-sex couples. The recent Synod in Perth approved a motion to recognise diversity. Two hours of passionate yet polite debate ended in a vote of both Houses – clergy and laity – that was clearly carried in both.

Yet legalistic arguments have prevailed and the resolution has been set aside. Now we must wait a year before readdressing the matter, which next time around will require a two-thirds majority in each House.

On the basis of this year's vote, the laity would meet that test, but the clergy most likely would not.

So the challenge is there: who claims the long robes, the greetings and the best seats?

A widow's weeds may denote grief, but the Gospel teaches that the outcome will be worse for those who grab the robes and do nothing to help.